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Chester Zoo celebrates birth of rare Rothschild’s giraffe
A rare Rothschild’s giraffe has been born at Chester Zoo.
The yet unnamed six-foot tall baby giraffe was delivered safely by mum Orla after a three-hour labour which was captured by CCTV.
Weighing 70 kilos (154 pounds), the baby giraffe was initially wobbly on its legs but soon gained its footing, surrounded by its mother and other giraffes.
Zookeepers have not yet determined if the calf is a male or a female.
The new arrival will grow to be more than 18-feet tall and weigh 1000 kgs (2205 pounds).
There are only 2500 Rothschild’s giraffes in the wild and they are considered one of the world’s most at risk mammals.
Rothschild’s giraffes are named after zoologist Lord Walter Rothschild, founder of the National History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire.
They have no spots beneath the knees and have broader dividing white lines.
The new baby was born as part of an endangered species breeding program.
Thanks to Chester Zoo and its in-country partners, giraffe numbers in Uganda are slowly increasing.